BOROUGH WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1916, Page 6

BOROUGH WORKS.

ENGINEERS ANNUAL REPORT. The engineer, in his annual report to the Borough Council, reports as follows: Tram route.—The principal work done during the past year had been the reconstruction of the whole of the tram route and the tarring and sanding of same. This work is over five .miles in length and it has involved an immense amount of work to enable the new surface to comply with the Public Works Regulations as regards the camber of the carriageway. Owing to the shortage of tar, the work is not yet completed, but a supply of restaurs now being obtained from Wanganui, and a few weeks will see the whole area covered. I'strongly recommend continued vigilance in the keeping of the road surface in order, and at once attending to any places where signs of weakness or wear appear. Waterworks, etc.—Owing to several defects being discovered at the forebay and beadworks when I commenced my duties in August last, it became immediately necessary to take steps to remedy same. The result has been satisfactory, and the serious leakage has been stopped both at the forebay and dam, and a further work of providing additional spillway at the Mangamahoe dam is about to he commenced to cope with, flood waters. An inspection of the long tunnel between the Mangamahoe dam and the forebay has just been made, and it was found to be in a, very satisfactory condition indeed, aid in my opinion there is little cause for any anxiety as to its stability in the unlined portions, a fact which is very important, when it is considered that the whole water supply, lighting and motive power for tramways, etc., is absolutely dependent on this tunnel. Water supply.—The last summer has | been the driest for the past 16 years, and you will be pleased to learn that the water supply has been ample for all requirements and no cause for anxiety need he felt in the near future as regards any shortage. Building permits.—Building, especially of dwellings, has been seriously affected by the war and the excessive cost pf materials caused thereby; but at the present time some very important works are in progress and contemplated, via. Oirls' High School, Boys' High School Boarding Establishment,' new theatre in iDevon street, nnd a new hotel at Moturoa, and handsome , new buildings are about to be erected for the A.M.P. Society. All these buildings are in reinforced concrete, and mark a new departure in New Plymouth, which was started by the erection of the sub-station and Fire Station in Liardet street. Just outside the Borough the new freezing works are well advanced. The number of buildings for permits were issued during the past year amounted to CS, and the value thereof was £55,066.

Sewers, etc.—The only work done under this "heading lias been the laying down of a, six-inch sewer in Barrett i street, and a storm-water and house drain off Hine street. Botli are matters of urgent necessity. Watermain extensions.—'Applications for these have been made and where possible rtfief has been given by laying a small pipe; hut owing to the present cost of 'materials under this heading, which is as high as 100 per cent, over prices ruling a short time ago, it has not been possible to afford relief in several cases, or lay new mains where they are required.. Streets and footpaths.—Owing to the big undertaking of the restoration and ' tarring and sanding of the tram route, many urgent and necessary works under this heading had to stand in obeyance, ns there was neither the labor nor plant available to carry them out at the same time; hut it is now the intention to deal with them in a vigorous and permanent manner, and steps are now being taken to give effect to this at once. In residential streets it is intended to form the footpaths much wider than has been done in the past, and to metal the carriageway out to the kerb and do away with concrete channelling. This will greatly enhance the appearance of the street'nnd lessen the cost of construction and maintenance*'

Borough maintenance—T have divided the whole of tbo Borough fnto four districts, and for each have allocated certain surfacemen whose duty it will he to look after same and be on hand at all times to prevent damage by scouring in rain storms and generally'keep a'sharp look-out on all matters coming within their respective areas, lam confident that a marked improvement will he noticeable under this heading in a short time. "Day work or contract.—Recently and for some time past practically the whole of the Borough work has been done by day labor, and a very large number of men have been employed by the Council. From personal experience extending over a number of years, I am of opinion that this method of carrying out work is not economical, and I strongly advise that wherever possible tenders be called for works. General. —It is apparent to all that much work has been done in various localities and left incomplete; whether this was owing to the cost of the work being underestimated or other causes, I cannot say, but I strongly recommend that from now on work to be done be completed in a thorough manner to a given point only, if funds will not permit of the completion of the whole. A scarifier was obtained for the road roller and much good work has been done with same on the tram route. This machine will effect a great saving on road work in the future. A matter of great importance in all new road work is the making o~ ample provision for dealing with the rush of storm water, which I find is of frequent occurrence here, owing to the heavy and sudden rainfalls experienced. The provision made hitherto has not been satisfactory by any means, and in many places will require to be rectified. During the ensuing twelve months much work requires to be done to carry out and complete the various works authorised, and at the end of that period I believe a marked improvement will be noticeable throughout the Borough.